The French EOR Complete Solution in Lyon and the Rhône‑Alpes Region

At 2i Portage, we speak every day with freelancers based in Lyon. Many of them ask us the same question: “Where should I start to find assignments in the region?”
Here are two practical approaches to help you grow your activity.

1. Freelance assignment platforms in Lyon
   Lyon is a highly dynamic metropolitan area, particularly from an economic standpoint. Many local companies—SMEs, start‑ups, and large corporations alike—work with independent professionals through online platforms, such as:
   • Indeed Lyon > a solid starting point for spotting occasional freelance opportunities
   • Welcome to the Jungle Lyon (city filtering available)
   • Malt > widely used in digital, marketing, and tech sectors
   • Freelance.com > well suited for more corporate or IT‑oriented profiles
   Take the time to optimize your profile and tailor your keywords to your specific area of expertise.
2. Professional events in Lyon
   Word of mouth and networking remain powerful levers for freelancers. The good news is that Lyon is full of trade shows, meetups, and business events where you can build visibility and meet potential clients. Some must‑attend places and events include:
   • CCI Lyon Métropole : training sessions, networking opportunities, and specialized forums
   • City of Lyon: regularly involved in events supporting entrepreneurs
   • H7, La Cordée, or Shed Coworking: vibrant innovation hubs hosting numerous tech and business meetups
   • Palais de la Bourse or Parc de la Tête d’Or: venues for professional trade shows throughout the year

We strongly recommend attending these events—even as a visitor. A simple conversation can often lead to a new collaboration.

Setting up in Lyon as an independent professional offers many career advantages. The city benefits from a dynamic and diversified economic ecosystem, bringing together high‑potential sectors such as biotechnology, healthcare, finance, IT, retail, and the chemical industry. Thanks to the French EOR complete solution, freelancers can enjoy full social protection (unemployment insurance, pension, health insurance, income protection) while maintaining their independence—without having to manage invoicing or client follow‑ups. Access to local companies is made easier by the strong concentration of SMEs and large corporations located in strategic areas such as Part‑Dieu, Confluence, and Villeurbanne. Lyon also strongly encourages professional networking through its many events, workshops, and coworking spaces, ideally located in the most dynamic districts of the metropolitan area.

When starting out as a freelancer in Lyon, one of the first questions that comes up is: “How much can I charge per day?”
Our advisors support Consultants across all industries, giving us a clear view of local market practices.
In Lyon, the average daily rate (ADR) typically ranges between €300 and €800.
This depends on your profile and the type of assignment. With several years of experience, you can aim for the upper end of the range—or even higher. Some sectors naturally drive rates up, such as IT, healthcare, chemistry, and digital services. The nature of the assignment also plays a key role: the more technical or strategic the mission, the higher the ADR.
In some cases, Lyon‑based Consultants exceed €800 per day, particularly on complex projects or when offering rare, high‑value expertise.

👉 Simulate your ADR under the French EOR complete solution in Lyon

When you’re a freelancer in Lyon, knowing where demand is strongest is essential to properly position your activity. And that’s good news: Lyon is a fast‑growing metropolitan area, with an economy driven by innovation, research, and industry.
Here are the most promising sectors we observe daily at 2i:

1. Healthcare & Biotechnologies
   Lyon is a major healthcare hub, home to numerous hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and biotech companies. Medical, scientific, and regulatory specialists regularly find assignments in this ecosystem.
2. IT & Digital
   The Lyon region is highly active in web development, cybersecurity, data, and information systems. Companies are actively seeking qualified Consultants, and daily rates are often attractive.
3. Industry & Chemicals
   Southern Lyon, with the Vallée de la Chimie, remains a powerful industrial hub. There is consistent demand for expertise in engineering, quality, maintenance, and environmental management—particularly in the energy, chemical, and process industries.
4. Retail & Distribution
   Lyon hosts many major retail brands and logistics platforms. Assignments in retail, supply chain, e‑commerce, and merchandising are frequent, especially during peak business periods.
5. Tourism & Events
   With its festivals, conferences, trade shows, and of course the Fête des Lumières, Lyon attracts millions of visitors every year. This creates opportunities in event management, communication, and logistics coordination.

As an independent professional, we recommend knowing the right contacts for your administrative steps. Here are some key Lyon‑based institutions to be aware of:

• URSSAF Lyon – 2 Rue des Cuirassiers, 69003 Lyon
• France Travail – 67 Avenue Paul Santy, 69008 Lyon
• CCI Lyon Métropole – 4 Rue des Marronniers, 69002 Lyon
• Mairie de Lyon – 1 Place de la Comédie, 69001 Lyon